Pnuematic bed system with table

ABSTRACT

A pneumatic bed system with an integral table and headboard is disclosed. The pneumatic bed includes a bottom panel of air barrier material and top panel of air barrier material connected by a side panel of air barrier material which extends around the perimeter of the top and bottom panels; the panels being welded or otherwise fused together to define an air chamber. A valve or valves are secured to the panels in an airtight fashion for the introduction of air into the air chamber for inflation of the pneumatic bed. Additional features such as pockets, perimeter pneumatic support tubes, flocked top surface and the like may also be incorporated onto the panels for additional functionality. In at least one embodiment, a side table is integrated to the sidewall panel. The internal cavity of the side table can be in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the bed.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

In accordance with 37 C.F.R 1.76, a claim of priority is included in anApplication Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, thepresent invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/723,974, entitled “PNEUMATIC BED SYSTEMWITH TABLE” filed on Nov. 8, 2012. The contents of each of the abovereferenced applications are herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an inflatable mattress or beds, and moreparticularly to an air mattress having an integrally formed side table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, a home bedroom is furnished with a mattress positioned upon abed frame for elevation. Other decorative as well as convenientfurniture, such as headboards, night tables and the like, are alsotypical bedroom furniture. Furniture, such as the night table, alsoserves a functional purpose. For example, the night table may used tosupport items that may be used during the night, such as a lamp, alarmclock, phone, medication, reading material, or a glass of water.Permanent furniture such as this is typically positioned in someconfiguration within a given room for various members of the family.Some homes have additional rooms that are considered guest rooms forwhen someone who normally does not live in the home comes to stay withinthe home for a few days. Some families provide permanent furniturewithin the guest room. However, the room filled with furniture preventsthe family from utilizing the space in the home when no guests arepresent. Therefore, many families opt for furniture that is portable ortemporary for guest sleepovers, which allows the family to utilize thespace more effectively.

In the past, air mattresses were used for camping, where portability andlight weight were necessities. Air mattresses are typically rectangularshaped, pneumatic beds which are typically constructed of materials suchas vinyl, urethane, or rubber. A deflated air mattress can be rolled upor folded, and carried or stored relatively easily, making the airmattress convenient for camping trips, and more recently, temporarybedding for a home. The air mattress can be rolled out in a desiredlocation and inflated either orally, manually by a foot-powered pump, ormore commonly by an electric or battery-powered air pump. Anotheradvantage of an air mattress over a standard mattress includes theability to adjust the firmness of the air mattress to accommodate theuser.

In recent years, larger, more elaborate air mattresses that are intendedfor temporary guest use or permanent use in the bedroom have come ontothe market. The newer features are specific to making an air mattressmore similar in appearance and function to a permanent bed. Some airmattresses even offer raised beds, whereby the air mattress is raisedoff the ground to a similar height as a permanent bed to offer a moretraditional sleeping experience. Other air mattresses have padded pillowtops provided as a part thereof to cover the top surface of the airmattress on which the user lies, so as to insulate the user from thevinyl or plastic material of the air mattress, adding a similar comfortlevel to that of a traditional mattress. Some air mattresses even offeran integral clock on the sidewall of the air mattress. This again,provides a portable bed having similar conveniences to a traditionalbedroom.

While these devices have enjoyed success in the art, there is still aneed in the art for pneumatic mattress devices and systems that provideconveniences to homeowners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses an inflatable bed, preferably apneumatic bed system with an integral table and headboard. In general,the pneumatic bed includes a bottom panel of air barrier material andtop panel of air barrier material connected by a side panel of airbarrier material which extends around the perimeter of the top andbottom panels; the panels being welded or otherwise fused together todefine an air chamber. A valve or valves are secured to the panels in anairtight fashion for the introduction of air into the air chamber forinflation of the pneumatic bed. Additional features such as pockets,perimeter pneumatic support tubes, flocked top surfaces and the like mayalso be incorporated onto the panels for additional functionality. In atleast one embodiment, a side table is integrated to the sidewall panel.The side table also includes top, bottom and side wall air barrierpanels; the internal cavity of the side table being in fluidcommunication with the internal cavity of the bed. In anotherembodiment, the bottom surface of the side table includes a latticestructure formed from plastic and/or metal which allows the pneumaticportion of the side table to be formed much thinner in cross sectionthan the pneumatic bed. In another embodiment, the side table is securedto the sidewall panel of the pneumatic bed with Velcro, zippers,stitching, adhesive or the like, and a tubular conduit is utilized toconnect the inner cavity of the side table to the inner cavity of thepneumatic bed. In yet another embodiment, the side table is filled withair separate from the pneumatic bed. The headboard is also generallyconstructed from a front and rear air barrier surrounded by a side airbarrier panel to create an airtight inner cavity. The inner cavity ofthe headboard may be fluidly connected to the inner cavity of thepneumatic bed and/or the side table to allow the entire device to befilled from one valve. Alternatively, one or more valves may be providedfor each internal cavity. In still other embodiments, the inner cavityof the pneumatic bed may be provided with one or more sub-cavities whichmay or may not be connected to the main cavity for providing support tospecific areas of the pneumatic bed. In addition, flexible supportmembers may be incorporated into the inner cavity for support and/orstructure. In still yet another embodiment, the bed portion may be inthe form of a couch, whereby the seating portion forms the bed.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention toprovide an inflatable bed having an integral side table.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide apneumatic bed having an integral side table that can be used to supportobjects such as a lamp, alarm clock, phone, medication, readingmaterial, glass of water, or the like.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide apneumatic bed having an integral side table that, when deflated, can berolled up or folded and carried or stored relatively easily.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide apneumatic bed having an integral side table which includes multiple sidepockets on the external surface of the sidewall of the air mattress forstorage of remote controls, jewelry, mobile phones, or the like.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a side tablefor a pneumatic bed including an integrally formed contoured recessdisposed of within the top membrane thereof that is constructed andarranged to support a cup or glass, thereby creating a stablereceptacle.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide apneumatic bed wherein the sidewall membrane of the pneumatic bedincludes a support tube extending about the circumference of the toppanel to reduce the tendency of the pneumatic bed collapsing when aperson sits on the edge of the pneumatic bed.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide apneumatic bed having an integral side table whereby the inner chamber ofthe air mattress includes multiple chambers fluidly connected with eachother for greater stability and rigidity.

It is yet also another objective of the present invention to provide apneumatic bed having a side table that is removably fastened to thepneumatic bed.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide apneumatic bed having a side table with a support structure, whereby theside table is formed thinner in cross section than the pneumatic bed.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide apneumatic bed having a pneumatic headboard.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with any accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example,certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained hereinconstitute a part of this specification and include exemplaryembodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects andfeatures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a top left perspective view of one embodiment of the pneumaticbed having an integral side table;

FIG. 2 is a top right perspective view of the pneumatic bed having anintegral side table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pneumatic bed having an integral sidetable illustrating several embodiments or one or more internalcomponents;

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the pneumatic bed having an integralside table

FIG. 5 illustrates an individual resting upon an inflated pneumatic bedhaving an integral side table;

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the pneumatic bed having an integral sidetable illustrating the side table in an inflated state;

FIG. 7 is a partial view of the pneumatic bed having an integral sidetable illustrating the side table in a deflated state;

FIG. 8 is a top left perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe pneumatic bed, illustrated with a removably attached side table;

FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of one embodiment of the presentinvention illustrating a fastener system for securing the side table tothe pneumatic bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in variousforms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be describeda presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered anexemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limitthe invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of an inflatable bed with sidetable, referred to generally as 10, is illustrated. The inflatable bedis sized and shaped to allow a user, such as a human, to lie thereon,and to accommodate pillows 13 and a blanket 15, see FIG. 5. While theinflatable bed preferably is designed to receive and store air, andaccordingly will be described as a pneumatic bed with side table,inflatable substances other than air, such as other gases or liquids,could be used. The pneumatic bed with side table 10 generally includes amattress portion 12, a headboard 14, and a side table 16. The mattressportion 12 is constructed from a top panel 18 providing a mattressportion top surface 19, a bottom panel 20 providing a pneumatic bed withside table bottom surface (not illustrated), and a sidewall panel 22.The panels are preferably constructed from a flexible polymeric materialthat is impermeable, or substantially impermeable, to air. The panelsare preferably constructed from a single piece of material to reduce thenumber of seams. However, it should be noted that multiple pieces can bewelded together to create the panels without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

In at least one embodiment, the top surface of the top panel 18 isconstructed to include a flock top 24, otherwise known as simulatedvelour. The top and bottom panels 18, 20 are connected by the sidewallpanel 22 to form an enclosed first inner chamber, referred to as anenclosed mattress chamber 26 (see FIG. 3) for receiving and holding aninflation substance. The panels may be connected together by anysuitable manner known in the art to create an airtight connection. In atleast one embodiment, the mattress portion 12 includes a support 28 (seeFIG. 3) extending about the perimeter or edge 30 of the top panel 18 ofthe mattress portion 12 and extending alongside the sidewall panel 22.The support tube 28 may include a separate inflation chamber from themattress portion to reduce the tendency of the top panel 18 collapsingwhen a user sits on the perimeter or edge 30 of the top panel 18. Themattress chamber 26 for receiving and holding an inflation substance maybe inflated and deflated, via an inflation device, illustrated herein asa valve 32, so that the pneumatic bed with side table 10 may be used asa sleeping apparatus or stored conveniently. The valve 32 may beconstructed and arranged to cooperate with or include a battery orelectrically operated pump.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pneumatic bed with side table 10 is designed tocontain a self inflating/deflating mechanism. For example, an electricpump unit 31 electrically connected to a electrical cord 33, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,151,390; 8,024,830; or 9,922,461 may beused to control an electric pump (not shown). The electric pump unit isdesigned to allow the user to rotate a control knob 35 to controlinflation, deflation, and/or the hardness or softness of the mattress12. A recessed area 35 may be included to store the electrical cord 33.Alternatively, or in addition to, the valve 32 may be designed for selfinflation. In addition, the valve may be installed to the mattress atany convenient location without departing from the scope of theinvention.

In an alternative embodiment, the mattress chamber 26 for receiving andholding an inflation substance includes a multi-chamber constructionwhereby a plurality of chambers are in fluid communication with eachother. In yet another embodiment, the multiple chambers may be providedwith independent valves 32 which allow different air pressures to beapplied to the various chambers to customize the firmness and support ofthe mattress portion. FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodimenthaving multiple individual, vertically arranged chambers 27. One or morebed sheet securing members, illustrated herein as a spring loaded clip29 may be included for receiving and securing bed sheets to the mattressportion 12, preferably positioned at the corners of the mattress 12.

Positioned at the head rest end 34, is a headboard 14. In a preferredembodiment, the headboard 14 extends upwardly and away from the toppanel 18. The headboard is preferably constructed from an airimpermeable, or substantially air impermeable, flexible material. Theheadboard 14 comprises a first end 36, a second end 38, and a main body40 there between and is orientated in a perpendicular position relativeto the top panel 18. The main body may be sized and shaped according topreference, such as semicircular, square, or rectangular, and may extendthe entire width or less than the entire width of the pneumatic bed withside table 10. In any size or shape, the main body provides a headboardsurface 42 which is perpendicular, or generally perpendicular, to themattress portion top surface 19 when the pneumatic bed with side table10 is in the inflated state. The headboard 14 comprises a secondinflation chamber, illustrated as an enclosed headboard inflationchamber 44. The headboard inflation chamber 44 is in fluid communicationwith the mattress inflation chamber 26 and preferably extends along thelength of the headboard 14. Alternatively, the headboard 14 may be aseparate component which is securable to the mattress portion 12. Inthis embodiment, the enclosed headboard inflation chamber 44 includesits own valve 32 to provide inflation to the headboard inflation chamber44.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, the pneumatic bed with side table 10further includes a side table 16. The side table functions as anightstand to support objects which need to be in close proximity to thebed while in use. The side table 16 includes a top panel 56, a bottompanel 58 and a side panel 60 defining an enclosed side table inflationchamber 62. The side table 16, therefore, provides for a side tablesurface 64 which is positioned at, above, or below the top panel 18and/or the mattress portion top surface 19. Accordingly, the surface 64extends outwardly, away from the top panel 18, the mattress portion topsurface 19 and the side wall panel 22. The side table surface 64 may beorientated in a perpendicular manner relative to the headboard 14. Theside table surface 64 is preferably sized and shaped to support objectssuch as a lamp, alarm clock, phone, medication, reading material, glassof water, or the like, and may include recessed areas to act as cupholders.

The side panel 60 provides one or more vertical surfaces 66 whichpreferably form a perpendicular orientation relative to the top panel 18and the mattress portion top surface 19. The side table 16 is preferablyconstructed from an air impermeable, or substantially air impermeable,flexible material to enclosed side table inflation chamber 62 in fluidcommunication with the mattress inflation chamber 26. In an alternativeembodiment, the side table inflation chamber 62 is not in fluidcommunication with the mattress inflation chamber 26, and the side tableis provided with its own valve 32 for the introduction of air to theside table inflation chamber 62. It should also be noted that the sidetable inflation chamber 62 may include multiple chambers withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In a most preferredembodiment, the bottom panel 58 of the side table 16 lies on the sameplane as the bottom panel 20 of the pneumatic bed with side table 10,whereby the bottom panels are supported by a ground or floor surface.However, it is also contemplated, not shown, that the bottom panel 58 ofthe side table 16 need not rest on the same plane as the bottom panel ofthe pneumatic bed with side table 10, and need not rest on the ground;thus the bottom face of the side table 16 may be suspended above aground or floor surface. It is also contemplated for the bottom panel 58of the side table 16 to include support structures, such as pneumaticlegs or the like which extend downward to the ground or floor surface toprovide support to the side table.

The top panel 56 may include a plate 57 (see top cut through section onFIG. 6) therein which provides for a hard surface. The hard surfaceallows for objects, such as a lamp 61, a computer 63, or a cup 65 to beplaced thereon. The cup 65 may rest within a recessed channel 55 formedwithin the top panel 56. As shown in FIG. 6, the table 16 is in fluidcommunication with the mattress 12 through a passageway, illustratedherein as a tube 71. In this manner, inflating the mattress 12 willinflate the side table 16. A control unit 73 which opens or closespassageway from the mattress 12 to the table 16 via tube 71, therebypreventing or allowing fluid flow from. The pneumatic bed with sidetable 10 may include a storage member, illustrated herein as a storagecase 75 designed to be secured to the side panel 22 via fastening means,such as zippers, buttons, snaps, or hook and loop fasteners, so that inthe deflated state, see FIG. 7, the storage case 75 can be secured tothe side panel 22, storing the side table 16 therein. Preferably, thebase of the side table 16 is weighted, using for example a weighted bar79, see bottom cut through section, FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 1, 2 or 4, the pneumatic bed with side table 10 mayinclude at least one pocket 68, illustrated as a mesh pocket, secured onthe external surface 70 of the sidewall panel 22. The pocket 68 is sizedto receive and hold various objects such as, but not limited to, remotecontrols, jewelry, mobile phones, or the like. The pocket 68 can beplaced anywhere along the external surface 70 of the sidewall panel 22.The pocket 68 may be sized to hold one or more objects, such as books65, magazines 67, or a remote control 69. It is contemplated, but notshown, that the pocket can be constructed on the top surface of the airmattress as well.

Referring to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of the side table 16′ isillustrated. In this embodiment, the side table 16′ includes a top panel72 having a side table upper surface 74, a bottom panel 76 and a sidepanel 78. The top panel 72, bottom panel 76 and side panel 78 are weldedtogether to define an enclosed air chamber 80. An air valve 82 isprovided for the introduction and removal of air to the side table 16′.The bottom panel 76 of the side table 16′ includes an expandablestructure 84 secured thereto. The expandable structure 84 is constructedand arranged to expand and contract with the side table 16′ as it isinflated or deflated. The expandable structure 84 includes a pluralityof crossed support members 86 having a pin hinge 88 positioned at eachcrossing. A plurality of wheels 90 are secured to the distal ends of thesupport members to allow the side table to be moved independently fromthe pneumatic bed 12. In this embodiment, the side table 16′ ispreferably separate from the pneumatic bed 12, and is thus securablethereto by any means known in the art for securing pneumatic componentstogether. Such fasteners may include, but should not be limited to,zippers, hook and loop fasteners, buttons and eyelets, snap fasteners,magnets, line connectors, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, a preferred method of securing the side table16/16′ to the mattress portion 12 is illustrated herein using a zipperassembly 92. The zipper assembly 92 includes a first portion orcomponent 94 having a first track 95 with protruding teeth 97 andpositioned along the side panel 78 of the side table 16/16′, and asecond portion or component having a second track 99 with protrudingteeth 101 and positioned along the sidewall panel 22 of the pneumaticbed. The first and second tracks 95 and 99 are constructed tointerdigitate, linking the rows of protruding teeth 97 and 101. In thismanner, the first and second portions of the zipper assembly may bealigned with a slider 98 having a zipper pull 103 utilized to secure theside table 16′ to the mattress 12.

All patents and publications mentioned in this specification areindicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporatedby reference to the same extent as if each individual publication wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention isillustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangementherein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to whatis shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figuresincluded herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain theends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Theembodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein arepresently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended tobe exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changestherein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which areencompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by thescope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been describedin connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should beunderstood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited tosuch specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of thedescribed modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious tothose skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable mattress comprising: a top surface,a bottom surface, said top surface and said bottom surface connected bya sidewall to define an enclosed mattress chamber for receiving andholding an inflation substance; said top surface, bottom surface orsidewall includes a valve disposed thereon for introduction of saidinflation substance into said enclosed chamber for inflation of saidinflatable mattress; and a side table extending from said sidewall, saidside table including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall,said top and bottom surface and said side surface defining a side tableenclosed chamber for receiving and holding an inflation substance. 2.The inflatable mattress according to claim 1 wherein said side table isformed integral with said sidewall of said enclosed mattress inflationchamber.
 3. The inflatable mattress according to claim 1 wherein saidenclosed mattress chamber is in fluid communication with said enclosedside table chamber for introduction of fluid therein.
 4. The inflatablemattress according to claim 1 wherein said enclosed mattress chamberincludes multiple chambers in fluid communication with each other forgreater stability to said air mattress.
 5. The inflatable mattressaccording to claim 1 further including at least one pocket constructedand arranged for receiving and storing an object.
 6. The inflatablemattress according to claim 1 further including a tube arranged about acircumference of said top surface, wherein said tube is adapted toprevent the collapse of said air mattress.
 7. The inflatable mattressaccording to claim 1 wherein said valve includes a pump disposed withinsaid enclosed mattress chamber.
 8. The inflatable mattress according toclaim 7 wherein said pump is an electric powered pump or abattery-powered pump.
 9. The inflatable mattress according to claim 1wherein at least one surface of said mattress and at least one surfaceof side table lie on the same plane.
 10. The inflatable mattressaccording to claim 1 further including a headboard, said headboardformed of an enclosed headboard chamber adapted to receive and store aninflatable fluid.
 11. The inflatable mattress according to claim 1wherein said side table is removably secured to at least a portion ofsaid an enclosed mattress chamber.
 12. The inflatable mattress accordingto claim 11 wherein said enclosed mattress chamber includes a firstfastener member adapted to secure to a second fastening member, and saidside chair includes a second fastening member adapted to engage saidfirst fastening member.
 13. The inflatable mattress according to claim12 wherein said fasteners are zippers, hook and loop fasteners, buttonsand eyelets, snap fasteners, magnets, or line connectors.
 14. Theinflatable mattress according to claim 1 wherein said bottom surface ofsaid side table includes at least one support structure.
 15. Theinflatable mattress according to claim 1 wherein said bottom surface ofsaid side table includes at least one wheel for providing mobility. 16.The inflatable mattress according to claim 1 wherein said top surface isa flock top.